Three Iranian satellites were successfully launched into space on Sunday using Russia’s Soyuz launch vehicles, according to Iranian state media, highlighting the growing space cooperation between Tehran and Moscow despite Western sanctions.
Iranian news agency IRNA reported that the satellites, named Paya, Zafar-2, and a second Kowsar, were placed into low-Earth orbit. The satellites are designed to support monitoring of agriculture, natural resources, and environmental conditions.
Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, said the satellites were fully designed and manufactured by Iranian scientists. Speaking to state television, he said the launches were carried out “despite all the sanctions and threats,” referring to Western restrictions imposed over Iran’s nuclear program.
Jalali added that cooperation between Iran and Russia is expanding across multiple sectors. “We are working together in different areas. Some are evident, and some we don’t like to clarify,” he said, without providing further details.
In recent years, Iran has increasingly depended on Russia to launch its satellites, as international sanctions have limited Tehran’s access to global space markets and technology. The partnership has deepened further since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Western countries have accused Iran of supplying drones and missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict, allegations that Tehran has repeatedly denied.
The latest satellite launch underscores the strengthening strategic ties between the two US-sanctioned nations, particularly in technology and aerospace cooperation.
